Capitol Police Officers Sue Former President Trump Over January 6 Riot

A group of seven Capitol Police officers filed a lawsuit against former President Donald Trump, the organizers of the Stop the Steal rally, and nearly 20 members of right-wing groups, including the Proud Boys and the Oath Keepers. The lawsuit accuses them of being responsible for the riot at the U.S. Capitol on January 6, which left over 140 Capitol Police officers injured.

"Because of Defendants' unlawful actions, Plaintiffs were violently assaulted, spat on, tear-gassed, bear-sprayed, subjected to racial slurs and epithets, and put in fear for their lives," the lawsuit says. "Plaintiffs' injuries, which Defendants caused, persist to this day."

The lawsuit goes on to accuse the defendants of spreading false information about the results of the 2020 presidential election and suggested that they "incited violence against members of Congress and the law enforcement officers whose job it was to protect them."

The lawsuit highlights numerous social media posts made by then-President Trump that contained false information, baseless claims of election fraud, and appeared to support acts of violence and intimidation committed by his supporters leading up to the presidential election.

The lawsuit blames the defendants for sparking the violence at the U.S. Capitol during a joint session of Congress to certify the results of the presidential election.

"Plaintiffs and their fellow law enforcement officers risked their lives to defend the Capitol from a violent, mass attack — an attack provoked, aided, and joined by Defendants in an unlawful effort to use force, intimidation, and threats to prevent Congress from certifying the results of the 2020 Presidential election," the lawsuit states.